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00:00Come on Fletchers! We've reached our fourth year in farming and we've fallen
00:09for this way of life hook line and sinker. Can you keep this? Right Milo let's get
00:17some jobs done. Farming's a breeze compared to having four kids. We're
00:24surrounded by the spectacular peat district. As far as an office goals it's
00:29it's pretty good isn't it? With ancient woodlands and rolling hills as their
00:38playground this year we've big plans to increase our flock and herd oh you can't
00:54ride on him. Whilst continuing to diversify. What about if we've created some sort of
01:00farm musical? Kevin we've got enough to do without creating a farm phantom. And we're
01:06excited about what our next chapter might hold. I can't think of something that
01:10would beat this for me. This is my version of a happy full life. Right let's get some
01:15cup of tea then.
01:27This week on our farm our nerves are on edge as vet Hugo checks our herd. Big day
01:34today, TB results day so naturally this is where the nerves kick in because you know
01:39it can be devastating. And we also keep everything crossed for the pitter-patter
01:44of tiny hooves. This is the next test we've got to get Ruby in and find out
01:49one if she's back in calf and two when she's you. Mateus gets stuck into some farm
01:53jobs. It's quite heavy. Heavy isn't it? I'm stronger. You are strong yeah. Because I eat my dinner.
02:01Yes. All of it. All of it. And I have grand plans to become the greatest showman in
02:08Cheshire. We could create a farm musical. It could almost be our story. Two actors. What?
02:17What? Kelvin, we've got enough to do. We're not creating a farm.
02:21A new day means more newborns. And our twins Maximus and Mateus are helping to protect the
02:43lambs against infection by spraying them with iodine. Good lad. Again. Good lad. Put it down.
02:50And then what's that? That's a little girl. That's a ewe lamp. And that's yours Maximus.
02:56So you can name her. Good boy. Hello, Manny. Hello, Manny. Right, Mateus. You spray that
03:04one, darling. Good lad. And this one is a little girl too. What do you want to call her?
03:13Dian. Dian. Okay, then.
03:16And while Milo is on cleaning duties, Marnie is heading to the paddock to check on her young
03:23Jacobs.
03:24Come on. Come on, sheep. Come on. Come on. Come on. So the Jacobs are running towards me.
03:39The sheep looks in great shape already. All of her lambs arrived without a hitch and they've
03:45been turned out to enjoy the fresh spring grass in the sunshine. There's this one sheep and
03:50I meant to have another two double but I don't know where the second one is. One, two, three,
03:56four. I need one more. Where's my other one? This year, Marnie is flying solo with her flock
04:04and we couldn't be prouder of the work she's putting in to rear them. My lambing season
04:09was quite good. I think the lambs came out very good. Just one little lamb's a bit slim
04:15but we can get that. The first time when I was lambing, it felt like a bit nerve wracking.
04:21I was just like really worried, really scared. But I feel very proud. I think they've lambed
04:27very well. I think they've done a great job. Marnie's ewes have produced five healthy boys.
04:33All Marnie needs to do now is make sure they're all present and correct and growing well.
04:38The plan is to get some more sheep. So then when I've got enough sheep, I can then make
04:45lamb boxes, my lamb boxes, Marnie lamb boxes. Or I can give them to market when I make some
04:53money. Right, I've got to look for that last one. Right. Think like Kelvin's lecture.
05:03While Marnie channels my sheep wrangling skills, the twins are helping to settle the next set
05:08of newborns. What we're going to do now, we've set the pen up ready. So we're going to take
05:14the two lambs and the mummy will hopefully follow. So I want you boys to get a lamb eat. Show me
05:19your muscles before you pick... Big muscles, yeah? Big muscles, right. You can have that one.
05:27A little bit strong. Two hands. You'll have to help Max, babe, because you can help too.
05:32And a baby. Strong. Be strong, mate. Come on. There we go. Come on, say come on. Come on.
05:38There you go. In you go. Shut up. Yay. Well done. Well done, kids. Well done. High five.
05:48Right. All my Jacobs are over there. So that's three. One, two, five. So I've got five. To
05:59be fair with you, they all, all the sheep, my dad and mine, they all look pretty healthy.
06:07Who's the cutest out of you two?
06:18With the animals all fed and watered, we can turn our attention to the next big task on our
06:26to-do list.
06:28Well, Marnie and Milo are at school, they get a bit of them time with us. They get to get
06:33all the attention. We need one more little piece of wood. Hey, that was good.
06:41The work on renovating the farmhouse has been delayed while the insurance claim gets sorted.
06:46But that hasn't stopped us exploring other renovation work that we can do in the meantime.
06:52So it should be warm, dry, practical. But still have that rustic farm feel. Yeah, yeah.
07:00We're always exploring new ways to generate revenue. With that in mind, we're turning our focus to the barn.
07:08And we have some exciting plans in the works. But we need to get cracking.
07:13So this was our old stable block. And we've decided to kind of convert it into a bit of an event space.
07:21It's all-encompassing space that we can have our little farm events here.
07:26But the biggest thing is we've actually agreed to have a wedding here in September, four months away.
07:33I know. When we agreed to it, it felt like it was years away. And now it's come round quickly, hasn't it?
07:39They asked us 12 months ago, and we were like, oh, it'll be done by April.
07:44We have had a house fire. We have had a house fire. Let's not forget that.
07:47The plan this year was to build this barn, was to do this barn.
07:51What we're doing this year is not only farming, but doing this barn and rebuilding our own house.
07:55True. Having had a fire. So we've had... There's been a few curveballs.
08:00There's a lot on the list. But, you know.
08:03With a big day fast approaching, Liz is letting her creative juices run wild,
08:08working her magic to turn this tired old barn into a glamorous wedding venue.
08:13I just want everything to be, like, wood inside.
08:17So, basically how it looks outside, but on the inside.
08:20So you don't see any of the brick. A nice concrete floor.
08:25And then I want some really old antique, if I can find any, barn doors on both sides.
08:33So we'll have two nice antiquey barn doors on there.
08:36It's all right, OK. So this needs ripping out.
08:38Yeah, we're going to get rid of all that. So it's just a full, empty space.
08:42We've always said there's so much potential.
08:44So this is phase one. Get it ready for September for the wedding.
08:48And hopefully, you know, who knows, it might be...
08:52We might have more weddings in the future. We just need to have a clear plan.
08:55I mean, they were excited about it, looking like this.
08:58They were like, this is fine.
09:00We got married in an old decommissioned church, which was, again, not a barn,
09:04but an empty space that we decorated the way we wanted.
09:08And I think that's the vision that we have here,
09:10that this is an empty space and whatever we do here,
09:13we can decorate the way we want.
09:15I mean, we've been married ten years this year.
09:18We could get remarried here. Ten years this year, isn't it?
09:21We could have a party here for our anniversary.
09:23Oh, we could, yeah. Couldn't we have a ten-year anniversary in here?
09:26Yeah. We could have... Why don't we do that?
09:28..a ten-year anniversary party in the barn. Partic, yeah.
09:30Yeah. 28th of November.
09:34We should do it. That's a good idea.
09:36Oh, my God, shall I wear my wedding dress?
09:38I don't even know who it is.
09:41Well, first things first is someone else's wedding.
09:44After talking through the plan,
09:46it's become clear we've got a massive job ahead of us.
09:49Think less, weekend project, more epic transformation.
09:55First things first, empty the barn.
09:58So, over the next few days,
10:00this barn's got to be completely cleared out.
10:02Yeah.
10:04Operation barn, that's what I like.
10:06The countdown starts. Right, let's go.
10:19Today, I've got my farming apprentice, Mateus,
10:32helping me with a few odd jobs on the farm.
10:35Mateus is a proper farmer.
10:38I'm not a betting man, but if I was to place a bet
10:42as to which one of the four children
10:44would be the first in line
10:47to take over the Fletcher farm,
10:49he'd be this lad.
10:54He's not shy of a bit of hard work,
10:56and he just loves being outside.
10:58What I used to do is go to my dad's work with him.
11:00He used to work with trucks as a diesel fitter,
11:03and I'd just be there passing in spanners
11:05and passes a 12 mil, and I'd have, you know,
11:08that was just my... And I loved it.
11:10I was his little apprentice,
11:12and I kind of sensed that, you know,
11:14Mateus is like that with me, really.
11:16Anything with an engine.
11:19And, of course, he's already got his own tractor
11:21that we're doing up at the minute.
11:23Do you remember that tractor we bought?
11:25Yeah, that'll be ready soon, hopefully.
11:27And then you can drive it.
11:29On my own.
11:30Yeah, you can...
11:31You don't need daddy.
11:32That'd be good, wouldn't it?
11:35Mateus might have to wait a little while
11:37before getting behind the wheel of a vintage tractor
11:40we bought the twins last year.
11:44But right now, there's a few more jobs to do
11:46before I get to that.
11:49After collecting the old fencing from the paddock,
11:52it's now ready for sorting.
11:54It's a bit of a long-winded job, this one.
11:59Some of the waste wood is going to be used...
12:04in our bonfire at the end of the year.
12:07And all the good bits, we're going to...
12:09should I say Liz is going to design
12:12kind of like a bench table,
12:15which will hopefully go in our events barn
12:18and provide the seating.
12:21This has to be done because
12:22we've obviously got some events happening at the farm
12:24in our event space very soon,
12:26starting with a wedding in September
12:28and then hopefully a few more after that.
12:30So, people are going to need somewhere to sit
12:32and have their dinner, aren't they?
12:34So, all this stuff, we need to pull the nails out,
12:37give them a good sanding down.
12:40And I've got a nice little job
12:41that Matthias can help me with,
12:43just like the jobs my dad used to give me.
12:47This nail, how it's all crooked,
12:48I need to take that out.
12:50How?
12:51Well, I'm going to show you.
12:52This is called a crowbar.
12:54To get the nail out?
12:55To get the nail out, yeah, feel it.
12:56It's quite heavy.
12:59It's heavy, isn't it?
13:00I'm stronger.
13:02You are stronger.
13:04Because I eat my dinner.
13:05Yes.
13:06All of it.
13:07All of it, yeah.
13:08So, what's that called?
13:09A crowbar.
13:11So, we get it like this.
13:12Yeah.
13:14And then we pull up.
13:21See?
13:23It's the big one.
13:25It's the big nail.
13:26We just got it out.
13:27What we do now with that big nail,
13:29we're going to put it in that blue box
13:30so nobody stands in it.
13:31Why?
13:32Because that's what we do with all the old nails.
13:34And the cows will stand in it.
13:36Then the cows won't stand in it.
13:38So, go on.
13:39Go and put that in that blue box.
13:48Another one.
13:51That's it.
13:52One.
13:53Two.
13:54All the nails are out.
13:55All the nails are out.
13:56Yep.
13:57My little handyman is soaking up skills that I'm hoping will prepare him for his own farming
14:10journey.
14:11Alongside his brothers and big sister who are currently on their own adventure with their mum.
14:15Liz is taking Marnie, Maximus and Milo for a spot of fishing.
14:35Come on, Maximus.
14:36Right, let's go over here.
14:37Over there, please.
14:38Come on, let's see if we can see any tadpoles.
14:39First, what do we need to collect tadpoles?
14:40Er, with a bucket.
14:41We need some water in this bucket.
14:42And then when you scoop them up, you can pour them in here.
14:43So, let me down first.
14:44Oh, that big black blob over there.
14:45There's loads over there.
14:46Now, don't ever do this without me around, okay?
14:47Come and jump in.
14:48Or Daddy.
14:49So, I'm going to hold you so.
14:50Is that the longest it'll go?
14:51Wait, I think I can do it.
14:52That's it.
14:53Oh!
14:54Right, put them in the water.
14:55I think I've got some.
14:56Wow!
14:57Wow!
14:58Wow!
14:59Wow!
15:00Wow!
15:01Wow!
15:02Wow!
15:03Wow!
15:04Wow!
15:05Wow!
15:06Wow!
15:07Wow!
15:08Wow!
15:09Wow!
15:10Wow!
15:11Wow!
15:12Wow!
15:13Wow!
15:14Wow!
15:15Wow!
15:16Wow!
15:17Wow!
15:18Wow!
15:19Wow!
15:20Wow!
15:21Wow!
15:22We've got a whole family!
15:23Wee!
15:24Oh my gosh!
15:25There's so many!
15:29With each season comes new life, and with an abundance of natural habitats on our doorstep,
15:34we're lucky to have the opportunity to witness the life cycle of so many different creatures.
15:41It changes throughout the year.
15:43It's, you know, the flowers die off in the winter, and then at spring they just come alive.
15:48And there's so much life here.
15:50Our lake is home to many birds, insects, and impressive mirror carp.
15:56Although there is some disagreement on what this particular body of water actually is.
16:01So I call this a pond, but Kelvin tells me that officially, because of the size of it, it's a lake, but I just can't bring myself to call this lake, so it's a pond.
16:12But, one thing is, it is full of life, it's full of fish, it's full of tadpoles every year, we have birds and ducks and chicks and a heron.
16:22We have so much going on here.
16:24And it's not too deep, but it's just deep enough where we can kind of see through and just get a glimpse of the fish and what's going on under there.
16:34It's so interesting to watch. I could sit here for hours and watch what goes on in here.
16:40And the kids are getting a live nature lesson to boot. Not a bad way to pass the time.
16:47Several weeks ago, we got the sad news that our much-loved cow Ruby miscarried her calf.
17:07Thankfully, she was soon well enough to run with our young bull again, and today we will find out if he's done his job.
17:14Busy day today, we've got Hugo the vet here, and we've got all our cows in, in the shed.
17:21And then we'll get Ruby in, and all being well, she's back in calf, and she'll be calving not too long after charity,
17:29because the plan is obviously, Royal Cheshire Show, 2025, four children in the young handlers.
17:36That's my dream from last year. So fingers crossed, we'll see.
17:41The Royal Cheshire Show is one of the biggest events in the agricultural calendar.
17:47And after winning a handful of rosettes last year, we're keen for our herd of cows and kids to get in the ring again.
17:54So, before Hugo does the pregnancy test on Ruby, he's checking the herd for TB,
18:00which they will need to be clear of if we're thinking of entering the show.
18:05Hi, Hugo. Hi, morning. Are we clean?
18:08Clean, clean, yeah.
18:10I'm going to see you've got a first patient in.
18:12Probably TB test them first, then do the dirty job after.
18:16Right, OK.
18:17TB is a chronic infectious disease that is still an issue in parts of England and Wales.
18:23As I've done before, just clip some hair off in two patches.
18:28Anybody who keeps cattle has to go through this every six months with the area where we are
18:34and as a new established herd.
18:37If you do get a reaction and they deem it, you know, conclusive that it's,
18:42that animal needs to be cold, then, yeah, it's devastating on your herd, really.
18:49We don't like finding any, but it's important that it's done properly
18:54and it's important that it's done, isn't it?
18:56Yeah.
18:57But, yeah.
18:59So, I'll just take some measurements off here now.
19:03Hugo will inject a small amount of a derivative of the bacteria into the cows.
19:08He'll return in a few days to check any reactions.
19:13Friday's the nervous day, and, um, but, like my dad always tells me,
19:20if it's not in your control, don't be worrying about it.
19:25Next up is Cherry.
19:28She's a, she's, this is an award-winning cow, isn't it?
19:31This, Cherry.
19:33Do you realise that you're a champion?
19:35You're a, you're a Cheshire champion, you, you know.
19:38You've never been in a ring before and I took you in.
19:40After her health check, Hugo scans Cherry again to see how her pregnancy is progressing.
19:46Six and a half months, yeah, judging by the size of the calf's head that I'm holding now.
19:51So that means, um, she's going to be sort of an end of May carver, doesn't it?
19:59Yeah.
20:00Then that could potentially mean we're taking a two or three week old calf to, uh, to Cheshire show.
20:06Yeah, perfect, in June, yeah.
20:08Yeah, yeah.
20:09I would love to take her, uh, to defend the title, but I don't think I'll be showing her.
20:13I don't really intend on showing this year me and Liz.
20:16I think we're going to try and take a back seat and try and get like the kids.
20:20And if we've got four kids, showing four calves then.
20:23Our young calves, Sonic and Ray, would hopefully be joined by Cherry's expectant calf and Ruby's,
20:29if we get a positive result today.
20:31We don't know actually because this is the next test.
20:33We've got to get Ruby in and find out one, if she's back in calf and two, when she's due.
20:38The last time I was this nervous about a pregnancy scan was when we found out we were having twins.
20:44Right, okay, so we've got a pregnancy.
20:49Good.
20:52So, she is three months in calf.
20:55Three months?
20:56Twelve weeks.
20:57Possibly a bit more actually, looking at the size of the legs.
21:00But it's 14 weeks.
21:02So a bit late for show season, but I think we were expecting that, weren't we?
21:07Yeah, we were.
21:08That's good news, yeah, she's back in calf, that's the main thing and it's healthy.
21:11So, unfortunately, she's going to miss the Cheshire show.
21:15So, one of the twins, I'm not too sure who yet, but will be without a calf.
21:19They might have to share a calf.
21:21The most important thing is that she's held this calf, you know, last time she did get in calf and she miscarried.
21:25So, yeah, I'm very happy.
21:27She's done well there.
21:29Well done, Ruby.
21:31I'm so thrilled for Ruby.
21:33She produced such a cracking calf last year, I just hope this one is a simpler birth.
21:38This is little Ray.
21:41So, he was born in July.
21:43He was about 50 kilos.
21:44He was quite a big calf.
21:46And he wouldn't come out.
21:48He'd been stuck.
21:49I mean, Liz pulled him out.
21:51And look at him now.
21:53I mean, they are monocoddled a little bit here, but if you keep them tame and keep them friendly and calm, then days like this hopefully go a little bit smoother, he says.
22:03Let's hope the TB testing runs smoothly too.
22:06Wait three days and then we'll come and check the skin and fingers crossed none of them have any reactions on the skin and then we're TB clear.
22:16A nervous wait now until three days.
22:19You go, come back on Friday.
22:21Exam them again.
22:22Then.
22:23See you Friday.
22:24Yes, thank you for today.
22:25I'll keep your fingers crossed till then.
22:27Yeah, we'll be alright.
22:29Bar the odd grey day, this spring has been the best we've ever experienced on the farm.
22:47And I'm hoping all this spring sunshine will be helping our new addition thrive.
22:53Our first crop of oats.
22:55As with most of our other endeavours, we're learning as we go.
22:59But we're lucky enough to have some expert help at hand in the form of Ben, our agronomist.
23:05And he's back today to check on the crop and make sure it's growing as it should be.
23:10How are the oats looking? Are they looking good?
23:16They are looking good to be fair, yeah.
23:18In comparison to last week, it was quite a dark green.
23:22Now it's sort of gone a lighter green.
23:24I mean, I'm going to do a tissue sample to double check.
23:27But my suspicion is it's manganese deficiency throughout the day.
23:31The plant is meant to open and close its stomata, which is a thing that sort of allows things in.
23:36Allows nutrients.
23:37Allows nutrients and water in.
23:38The problem is what happens is if you've got manganese deficiency, that process can't happen.
23:43So they remain open all the time.
23:45And then all the moisture is being let go.
23:47And that's why, in part, it was kind of floppy.
23:50If you feel it, it doesn't feel very...
23:52Sturdy. Sturdy.
23:54That's manganese deficiency.
23:56Oh, right.
23:57You just spray it with foliar manganese and that just goes away in about a week.
24:02You don't want a floppy one, don't you?
24:04You don't want a floppy one!
24:05Yeah!
24:08Moving on from flaccid crops to more solid issues, arable farming has been a real eye-opener.
24:14It's taught me just how sensitive plants can be and how critical it is to get the environment and nutrients just right if you want your crop to thrive.
24:24And you said the crop's looking good, as you said, but it's got a deficiency.
24:28So a deficiency is a bad thing, surely?
24:29Well, deficiencies, they're not good, but every single crop is going to get a nutrient deficiency, really.
24:36The soil won't provide it with everything that it requires to grow, so you have to apply it as a foliar feed, basically.
24:44And what about the lack of rain? Is that an issue?
24:47Well, yeah, so the lack of rain for one, it will create this hormone in the plant.
24:53The plant's response is to produce a thing called ethylene.
24:55And ethylene is effectively the ripening hormone of all plants.
25:00So you want a bit of ethylene to make it mature at the end or else it would never actually mature.
25:05But if you have a build-up of ethylene, what effectively the plant does is goes, we're under pressure.
25:10We need to race to the end, because all the plant wants to do is survive.
25:14But that's not good if you've grown a crop.
25:16These side shoots will start to die, and it will only keep what it really needs.
25:23Wow, so it'll kind of self-sabotage just to survive?
25:25Effectively, yeah, just to get through to the end, yeah.
25:28Another thing that I have seen is when in these big fields you just see kind of massive, fancy garden,
25:35essentially like a garden jet on a bigger scale, just spraying water.
25:40If it's not raining, then can we just, like, you'd water the grass in the garden?
25:44Well, you know, it's actually not a stupid thing to say, because in certain parts of the country,
25:49in Europe and in America, they do irrigate their crops.
25:52Right, right, wow.
25:53But the amount of water that you'd need to sort of simulate the rain would be thousands of litres.
25:59Oh, really? You'd have to be doing it with a sprayer, like, I don't know,
26:02you'd have to do, like, a hundred passes in a day just to get close to, like, two mil of rain.
26:09I can keep my watching cat in the chair. I wouldn't bother. You'll be there.
26:13Visions of me and Liz walking up with kids.
26:15I'll come next week and you'll be exhausted. You'll still be going.
26:19Well, that option's definitely off the table.
26:22So it's back to watching the weather forecast and crossing our fingers for some rain.
26:27And who would have thought that oak crops would earn a spot on my ever-growing worry list?
26:32So I'll wait for these lab results on the leaf test, the tissue test, and in the meantime, I'll do a rain dance.
26:39Yeah, exactly.
26:41Right.
26:42Thanks, Ben.
26:43Yeah.
26:44See you next week, mate.
26:45See you next week.
26:47It feels like at every stage, every week, there's something new to consider.
26:53It's so dependent on the weather and things out of your control, really.
26:58But the whole point for me of having a low-input farm is that nature kind of does all the hard work, really.
27:05You've got great animals that thrive in the conditions we've got.
27:09Those native breeds we know will do so well.
27:12And we want to establish a crop that will do well.
27:15900 feet above sea level in the north of England.
27:18I want the kind of land to provide itself in that sense, you know, sustain itself.
27:24But there's a lot to growing crop.
27:26Nothing is ever straightforward.
27:28I'm not deterred by that.
27:30This was an experiment this year.
27:32Let's not forget that.
27:33You know, we've never done this before.
27:34This farm has not done anything like this for the last 20 or so years.
27:39It was always going to be a bit of a gamble.
27:41It was always going to be a bit of an unknown.
27:43So I just think we've tried it.
27:46That's enough.
27:47You know, that's a big step.
27:50It's looking all right so far.
27:52That's an even bigger step.
27:53And what will be, will be.
27:55So keep our fingers crossed.
28:00Who's your favourite cow?
28:11Which one is it?
28:12Erm...
28:14Erm...
28:15The little cow.
28:17The little cow.
28:18Is that Ray?
28:19Yeah.
28:20Do you like Ray? Yeah.
28:21Is it your favourite?
28:22Not a big cow.
28:23Not the big cow?
28:24Do you not like the big ones?
28:25I like the little one.
28:27You like the little one?
28:28Yeah.
28:29OK.
28:30Big day today.
28:31Erm...
28:32TB results day.
28:33So...
28:34Naturally this is where the nerves kick in.
28:36Yeah, we just want a clear result today.
28:38Erm...
28:39Because, you know, it can be devastating.
28:40If you've got five cows or 500 cows, it's...
28:42It can have the same sort of impact, so...
28:45Fingers crossed.
28:46Let's think positive.
28:47Although TB cases in Cheshire are in decline,
28:50our farm sits in what's called an edge area.
28:53Bordering counties where the infection rate remains higher.
28:57Max, what do you reckon?
28:58Is it going to be good today?
29:00We've got you smiling, so...
29:02That'll be a final.
29:04Right, Hugo.
29:05Hi, Calvin.
29:06We've got an apprentice here today.
29:07I can see.
29:08Little Max is, er...
29:09This could be determined whether he becomes a vet or a farmer.
29:14Do you think?
29:15Might maybe, yeah.
29:16What do you think, Max?
29:17Would you like to be a vet like Hugo or a farmer like Daddy?
29:20A farmer like Daddy.
29:22A farmer like Daddy.
29:23Yeah, I'll do that.
29:24I'll do that if I would do.
29:26Let's get you sat down then, Mr. Cute.
29:29There we go.
29:30Like that.
29:31Perfect.
29:32How's that?
29:33Is that a good little seat?
29:34Yeah?
29:35Right, you sit there, and Daddy's going to climb over here,
29:38and we'll just get him through, yeah?
29:45Hugo will inspect and measure the site where he injected a form of the bacteria.
29:50If any reactions are detected, then the cows will have to be called.
29:55Yeah, no reactions, no lumps, so she's clear.
29:59No TB in her.
30:01Good, good.
30:02Just cross her off the list.
30:03Yeah, and that's a good start.
30:05We'll get him through.
30:09So, again, no lumps, no reaction.
30:12So, that one's clear.
30:15Right, cool.
30:16Next one.
30:17Two down, three to go.
30:19Hello.
30:20Max, you okay, mate?
30:21Guess who this is?
30:24This is Ray, your favourite.
30:26Give him a wave.
30:29Ray's okay, Max.
30:31He's good.
30:32No TB.
30:33He's all right.
30:34Not poorly.
30:35All but one done, yeah.
30:36We've got the last one now.
30:37Crowd of the bull.
30:38Come on, lad.
30:39Yeah, so no lumps, no reactions, so that means there's no reactions on any of them, which
30:53is a clear TB test.
30:55All right.
30:56You can relax now.
30:57Good, good.
30:58Cross him off, and I'll put that through to the ministry later.
31:03Yeah.
31:04All right.
31:05Yeah, big relief.
31:07It's only five, but still it's pretty nerve-wracking.
31:11I can't imagine what it would be like if you've got scores and scores.
31:15But yeah, good news.
31:17Clear result, and start looking forward now.
31:23Hugo will update the government site that is tracking the disease, and hopefully, many
31:28other farmers will be receiving the same good news this spring, and TB rates continue
31:32to fall.
31:34Are you going to say well done to all the cows now?
31:36Yeah.
31:37Come here.
31:38I want you to say, say well done, cows.
31:40Well done, cows.
31:41So what do we say to Hugo?
31:44Yeah.
31:45Thanks, Hugo, for today, mate.
31:46No problem.
31:47Good result.
31:48Yeah, good on, mate.
31:49All right, come on.
31:53Growing up on the farm means that when we're not roping the kids in to help with the farm
32:08jobs, they're off finding their own fun, and sometimes they find natural treasures.
32:14Guys, look what I found.
32:17What have you got?
32:18Look what Milo's got.
32:20What is it?
32:22I think it's a bird nest.
32:24I just found that on the floor.
32:26Oh, really?
32:27The kids all know not to disturb nesting birds, but this abandoned nest is great for the kids
32:34to see up close.
32:35Hey, look what they've used.
32:37What's that?
32:38Sheep one.
32:39Sheep's?
32:40I've never known a bird's nest to use sheep's wool before.
32:45Wow, that must have been a cosy.
32:47Who would like to sleep in there?
32:48Me.
32:49Me.
32:50I'd love to snuggle up in there.
32:52Oh, that looks so cosy.
32:54This is like a little bird's nest, isn't it?
32:56Is this like a little bird's nest?
32:58I'm the baby bird.
32:59You're the baby bird.
33:00I know.
33:01I know.
33:02We're the love birds.
33:03I'm the baby.
33:05One project that's seriously testing our mettle is the barn.
33:22we had the bright idea to host a wedding here for some friends very romantic very
33:28ambitious but with the big day fast approaching we really need to get moving
33:33especially since it's currently looking more like an agricultural storage unit
33:37than a wedding venue the wedding is the tester so we're emptying it so there's a
33:42blank canvas and from then on we need Calvin to get our thinking caps on and
33:46see what else we could do in here we get in the concrete poured in a couple of
33:50days he's got to be emptied for that and if there's one thing we're good at
33:54working to is the deadline it takes a special set of wheels to handle a job of
33:59this importance my jingle van this van has been with us for a very long time
34:06before we ever lived on a farm and my dad borrowed it once he didn't give it back
34:10for two years and then when we finally moved to the farm we were like dad can
34:15we have that van back he's rusty it's old but it just does the job the only thing is
34:23wrong with it the only thing it's only two-wheel drive and we've been stuck a few
34:28times haven't we
34:30today though it'll be used as originally intended to help us haul some of this rubbish away
34:36well I'll say rubbish
34:39the birds will be loving life in this
34:42don't they
34:45it's like a ready-made hedge isn't it
34:48we don't waste anything on the farm if we don't have to
34:51some birds will be really happy in that
34:54next season
34:55between the birds
34:58a bonfire and Liz's creations
35:00every twig will find a new purpose
35:02oh I hope we don't get stuck
35:05slow down not too much
35:13if you spin a little bit there's no point in thinking
35:16keep going
35:19yeah that'll do
35:26get that on
35:28this is our first crack at renovating a space like this
35:33nail it and it could pave the way for plenty more events to come
35:37it'll be nice to have a bit of love and romance on the farm and someone else's memory of
35:47you know it's quite an honour to host someone's wedding here
35:50it's really special
35:53see I'll do all this and then Kelvin will get his favourite favourite machine out
36:03it's quite impressive
36:05you know it's something that when I met him if he'd have picked me up in it
36:14I'd have never met him again
36:16but it's really handy around the farm
36:20here he is
36:24all this talk of weddings has me feeling romantic
36:40you know there's going to be a wedding here
36:42yeah
36:43our first ever wedding
36:44I've got an idea
36:45what
36:46what
36:47we can renew our house
36:48awww
36:49any you come with
36:50why not
36:53no it doesn't matter
36:55I just thought about all the work I'd have to do to make this a wedding space for us
37:01it'd be fine as it is
37:03just a few fairy lights
37:04I'll be in my wedding dress putting fairy lights up
37:06be romantic
37:07we're bringing a bit of romance to the farm
37:09I might need to let the idea sink in a little with Liz
37:12but this space certainly has potential
37:15the barn is empty
37:16the barn is empty
37:17the barn is empty
37:18it's going to be good isn't it
37:19it's going to be really good
37:20this could be so many things
37:21I know
37:22interior shop
37:24stage
37:25a show
37:26a show
37:27a theatre show
37:28a theatre theatre
37:29pantomite
37:30it could be anything
37:31might well get myself a job
37:32I could actually cast myself
37:34in my own production
37:35you know what we could actually do
37:38we could create
37:40a farm musical
37:42I'm serious
37:45can you sing?
37:46no
37:47no
37:48no
37:49no that bit I won't be in
37:50it could almost be our story
37:52two actors
37:53what?
37:55why have you just spat your tea out?
37:59babe it could be our story
38:01two actors decide to get a farm
38:04we have kids
38:05we've got enough to do
38:06we've got enough to do
38:07we're not creating a farm panto
38:09no it's not a pantomime
38:10it's a musical
38:11we could get someone into it
38:14oh god
38:15babe do you not think that could be a good idea?
38:17oh it is but just one step at a time okay
38:20let's get through the wedding
38:22the farm musical
38:23is that the scent of a Tony award
38:26or just manure?
38:28either way
38:29the barn refurb just took a major leap towards showtime
38:45this year's lambing season is almost done
38:48we currently have over 60 strong healthy lambs bounding around our fields
38:52and the last of our expectant mums is finally showing signs of going into labour
38:57she's doing good
38:59she'll be alright for a minute let's do this
39:02three four years ago
39:04oh baby
39:05that would have been a big not panic but we'd have been like that's lambing we've got to move them
39:10whereas now we're a bit like oh yeah that's having a lamb and we're going to move these cows
39:15we know what we're doing a tiny bit more now
39:21most of the ewes have managed to birth naturally
39:24but it's always good to keep an eye on them just in case they need a helping hand
39:29what's it like to have a contraction?
39:31what does it feel like?
39:32it's like
39:33it's so hard to fix
39:35it's like
39:36do you know if you're like
39:37it's one of them feelings
39:38and what tense is just like your stomach?
39:40it's like pins and needles
39:41like
39:42all tensing yeah
39:43what and then it's on then it goes off
39:45then it goes and you're like
39:46oh
39:47and then and then it comes again and you're like
39:50it's
39:51it's hard
39:52the hardest thing that you'll ever do
39:53i forget that you
39:54i sometimes forget that you've actually had
39:57kids aren't you
39:58well i don't forget that but i mean you've
40:00thinking back to you having contractions and that
40:02you were really
40:03strong
40:0430 hours i was having contractions for
40:06you step in after half an hour with the sheep
40:0830 hours i was having contractions for
40:11the things i've done
40:14as this ewe is clearly struggling
40:16with only the lamb's head and one of the legs out
40:19it's time to jump in and give her a hand
40:22you push her in and i'll just pull the lamb out
40:25oh god
40:27oh yeah the foot's stuck
40:29she's dead tight
40:31i can't find the foot
40:32i can't find the foot
40:42oh she's coming
40:43she's coming
40:48pick it up pick it up
40:49it's a big lamb
40:50yeah but i just
40:51do you want her
40:52oh
40:53yeah but i just do you want her
40:54and she's coming
40:56and she's coming
40:57oh
40:58oh
41:00oh
41:01oh
41:02oh
41:03oh
41:04oh
41:05oh
41:05oh
41:06oh
41:07oh
41:08oh
41:09oh
41:10oh
41:11oh
41:12oh
41:13oh
41:14oh
41:15oh
41:16oh
41:17them out a bit tricky but she did it. With the lamb born safely and the cows clear of TB we can
41:26get them all out of the barn to enjoy the fresh grass and spring sunshine.
41:41Managing the animals has definitely become a lot easier over the past year
41:46which is more than I can say for our other herd.
41:51They make more mess than any other animal on this farm. Our kids, actual animals, the biggest animals
42:00of the farm are our kids without a doubt. They're the hardest to control, they're the hardest to keep
42:06clean, they're the hardest to move. Farming's a breeze compared to having four kids.
42:12There's a reason I look so disheveled all the time and it's because I've got four kids and a farm.
42:22Somehow we are still managing to run the farm and raise kids,
42:26whilst dealing with the upheaval of still not living in the farmhouse after the fire.
42:30And while Marnie and Milo are now old enough to understand we'll be back on the farm in time,
42:42I can't help but think how this situation is affecting Maximus and Matthias.
42:46For the last six months of their lives it's been, you know, they've been living in hotels and
42:53Airbnbs and it's all been, you know, a lot of disruption.
42:57Yeah, they just see it as the places where we come and do jobs and for them just have fun.
43:04It's like a day out. They are still quite confused because
43:11they don't really see this as their home at the minute. They don't actually realise that
43:17this is where we live and our house, their bedroom, is
43:21is not their bedroom because we've had a fire. But it will be hopefully again soon.
43:27I wonder if they remember this when they get older. Kids just take it in their stride but
43:33you can see it's pretty confused blessing. Although we're still not living in the farmhouse,
43:40we bring the kids up to the farm every single day. As Liz and I have always known that since moving here,
43:46this is where our family is meant to be.
43:48It's not just about farming, it's not just about that. It's such a lifestyle and a lifestyle that
44:01has suited us having four kids. It's been a real blessing because I think it's given them so much
44:09purpose and so much adventure to their life that I just, I can't imagine them any other way.
44:17Put your head down that way for five seconds.
44:21Like they're filthy, they mess, they cause absolute destruction wherever they go.
44:28And I think, you're only fit for a farm really. I don't know if we'd be welcome on the street anymore.
44:35Next time on our farm, training for the Royal Cheshire Show gets underway and it's no walk in the park for me and Sonic.
44:54And next up here's the Lincoln Ruts.
45:02The twins lend a hand with our new-born Lance.
45:05Did you like that?
45:07Yes!
45:07This is their Ye Barcelona!
45:08A friendly game of rugby throws a spanner in the works
45:15Feels like I've told my bicep and our sheep give us the runaround
45:21Just as a thought just sheep just do whatever they want
45:38To be continued
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